Church of One Love: Recent Episodes
churchofonelove
It seems the intensity of world events political, ecological, economic, might be the greatest many of us have felt in our lifetime. We experience this as loss: we are losing our security in how things used to be (or how we perceived them), our trust in what we hoped for. As a result we are anxious, fearful, angry at the state of our country and the world. This is a loss that we need to honor in the same way we’d honor the loss of any loved one. What lessons can we take from our path of personal grieving to apply to our grief for the world?
When we want to take right action in the world, we must first become truly aware of what is going on—to understand what the problem or challenge really is. When we become aware of discomfort, we tend to jump to take whatever action we think will most quickly relieve our immediate suffering. Too often that action leads us to ever more suffering down the road. Effective action is always only possible following a period of acceptance and understanding of the nature of the challenge. Only when we have accepted reality as it is--life on life’s terms—can we then take effective action. (we call this the 3 A’s: Awareness, Acceptance, Action)
On this, International Day of Peace—we celebrate the founding ideals of the United Nations: to promote peace, end conflict, and foster global cooperation to build a peaceful and sustainable world. These are global ideas, but work on the personal level as well. In fact, peace will only ever happen globally when it first happens person to person as we communicate with others in non-accusatory, non-violent , kind and loving ways. When we find the natural peace deep within us, we become living examples of peacefulness in the world.
Stillness is a secret superpower that—when practiced-- brings us closer to who we really are. In stillness we commune with God, instinctively feel our oneness with nature and with all beings, and come to know ourselves more deeply. So why is it so hard to get and stay still? It is so easy to become overwhelmed by distractions, anxieties, activities, to-do lists, that we seldom experience the gifts of true stillness. This week, let’s explore why and how to cultivate stillness in our lives.
Throughout history humankind has believed in Truth, only to find out that it was, after all, not really True. Is it possible that we really do not know anything for a fact? What and where is our guiding star, or is there such a thing?
We seem to have been on an evolutionary journey to discover what God is, only to see it slide away from us more often than not.
Let us take a look at where we have been, where we are, and imagine what might be.
Can we be open to an uncertain and unclear future, or is it all an illusion?
Is that a suit of armor? Can you take it off? As humans we hurt and then we try to protect ourselves from it ever happening again. Unfortunately, we cannot build walls (or wear suits) that close our hearts only to what is painful. A closed heart is a closed heart. So how do we navigate a world where to keep an open heart feels too painful, but to close it and live in the mind would make us cold and unfeeling? How can we find balance—safe ways to wear only our own skin?
What is with this “praise and worship” that traditional churches do? Does the thought of "praising" offend? What even is “praise?” or “worship?” Does praising something make us somehow lower than the object of our praise? Does God “need” it? Or do humans have a need to express praise? What in your life today might be calling for awe, wonder, gratitude, NOTICE?
Are you paying attention to your messages? Checking your Earth-mail? Checking in with yourself? Being open to the many messages and all the different guises messengers take puts us in communication with the angels—literally!
Do we make “soul contracts” with each other? Is there truly a reason we meet the “random” people we do, have the particular experiences of life, make the synchronous connections we make? Do they (or can they) all lead to our soul’s growth? Are they part of a larger plan? Are we in on it? Let’s explore these questions and take look at life as if it were a school whose curriculum we might help design.
Just as the future can only be met from the place of the present moment, the past too, can be met right here right now in the present--has value in helping us to understand how it shaped and may still affect us in our present. Let’s learn to look, learn, then forgive and let go. A wise person once said, “There’s nothing wrong with looking at the past—as long as you don’t stare!”
In a time when so many feel overwhelmed or unseen, encouragement is more than a kind word—it’s a powerful ministry. This message explores how Spirit calls us to build each other up, how simple acts of encouragement can transform lives, and how each of us can be a light in someone’s darkest hour. Drawing on biblical examples, personal stories, and practical insights, this uplifting talk reminds us that sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is simply show up and speak hope.
Most of us would love to know what’s ahead. We have all kinds of questions? Will I be happy? Healthy? Alone? More spiritual? Aging gracefully? Insecure? All these anxious questions are about maintaining the illusion of control. We think if we know what’s coming we can prepare for it. Since we can never know what will happen in the world, the only way to be ready is to prepare our inner selves to meet with whatever comes. Will we meet it with love, peace, equanimity? Or fear, resistance, complaint? The answers to our futures are found in the only place that really exists: the present moment.
We love to think of ourselves as independent, but the truth is we are all inextricably connected in- and as- the One. Physically, we cannot survive without each other and without the resources of Mother Earth. In fact, we have become so specialized that in a literal sense we depend upon each other for almost everything—the intricate processes of providing for our daily needs of food, water, medical care, transportation, shelter, clothing, information, education, entertainment and more. And, as divided as we seem to be as a culture, the truth is we evolve together or not at all.
…is that we all have it to a degree. To be ignorant is to NOT KNOW. And none of us can know what we don’t know until we know it. Confused? As we own our own ignorance, it can help us to have true compassion and empathy for those we might otherwise judge and condemn. And one of the greatest gifts of admitting to ignorance is that we can then develop the sacred quality of Beginners’ Mind—in which all possibilities exist. Ready to explore your ignorance?
The Middle Way, a core concept in Buddhism, emphasizes finding balance and moderation between extremes, particularly in thought and action.
We hear a lot about the gifts of the “Divine Feminine,” and find that our masculine structures are often spoken of today in denigrating terms. This is not about anything being wrong with the masculine, but about our being out of balance in expressing these divine energies. The Masculine Principle is both Divine and Beautiful: the other side of the same holy coin. Our wholeness lies in finding balance between the two sacred energies—not opposites but polarities. This week let’s explore the beautiful aspects of the Divine Masculine, and the possibly surprising gifts we receive from the Father…and maybe even our own Dads.
- We Co-create with God; 4: We commune with God; 5. We express as God. Since God IS the oneness in which we live and move and have our being, and we are all individuations of that One, we have the power to create our experience of life as part of that vast divinity. We do this by directing our thoughts, by immersing ourselves in the truth of our being, aligning our focus and purpose, and by taking action that supports the creation of the world we wish to see.
- God is Good, and God is all there is; and 2. We are that—the very substance of God is our substance, meaning our very essence is God, and is good. These statements are in alignment with COOL’s tenets of oneness with God and with each other, yet regardless of our belief in our ultimate oneness, it is a constant challenge for us to see the world, other humans, God itself, as ultimately “good,” when the evidence of our eyes could lead us to believe in an opposing force--what the world calls “evil.” Let’s explore the deeper meaning of these foundational principles—leading us to a discussion of the absolute vs relative; of polarity vs opposition.
This week the service will be led by your Prayer Partner team!
Spiritual Growth does not occur through affirmative prayer alone, but through spiritual study and contemplation, different forms of meditation, and through spending quiet time with our Higher Self and our personal understanding of the Divine. We hope you will join us again as we share our prayer and meditation experience with you, our beloved church family.
Throughout history, mankind’s evolution has been slowed or even stopped by the belief in the certainty of facts that were known to be TRUE, but turned out not to be so. This is clearly true in the spiritual and religious world. Today, we will use a few current events and a Biblical story to see how our definition of God was formed from ancient literature, and how we can transcend those old beliefs through the use of metaphysical concepts hidden beneath the literal words.
Mother to child is maybe the most intimate and important of relationships, which does not mean that it is easy or comfortable—often just the opposite. Yet, we all have at least two mothers: we are offspring of Mother Earth, and we are children of our own mothers. While Divine Mother is the perfection of the feminine principle in us, it was a very imperfect, very human woman who gave each of us birth into this human form. Learning to be in healthy relationship with ALL the mother energy in our lives helps us to better understand who we are, and as we do so, we come to realize the rich (often hidden) gifts we have received.
Most of us began a conscious spiritual path because we wanted more understanding, inner peace, joy, wisdom, and love in our lives. This is right and good... AND there is more. As we grow in love, peace, joy, service, we also grow the world in those things--even more when we make a conscious intention to do so. Our spiritual practices help us to explore and come to know the depths and edges of ourselves, and a wider attitude enables us to be of service to the whole of humanity—to come to know ourselves as not separate from anyone else.
Overcoming the ego is often touted as our greatest task on the spiritual path. Yet, to be human is to have an ego; it is an inevitable part of life on planet earth. Are we really here to get RID of our egos? Or to put them in their proper place—not as rulers of our lives, but as servants to Spirit?
Traditional Christianity is focused more on the fabled death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ than on the content of his teachings on love. Jesus taught a totally new way viewing he world: freedom from transactional, conditional love, spoke of the spirit inside all of us, which is unconditional and eternal. Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Does it matter? Join us this Sunday to discuss the significance of the resurrection story, and how it is OUR story, every time we choose love.
When our inner peace is dependent on outer circumstance it is fragile and unreliable. We can’t control the world, or make anyone else peaceful, but we can learn to find peace in ourselves regardless of what happens around us. Jesus was celebrated as a hero on Palm Sunday, and by the end of the week betrayed, reviled, abandoned, taunted, and killed. Yet he kept his peace and humility throughout. Let’s explore what we can learn from his example.
True compassion is not just feeling sympathy or even empathy for another—but it includes the desire to alleviate the suffering of others. How do we fulfill this desire? Especially for people we don’t know, will never meet? This week we will explore 2 spiritual practices we can do anywhere, anytime--that are meant to assuage the pain of humanity, one a Buddhist practice, and one from the indigenous shamans of the south seas islands.
What is compassion? Is it feeling sorry for another? Helping one another? Can one have compassion for oneself? Is it something to do or something to feel? How can we lead lives of compassion in a world of overwhelming suffering?
There is so much noise in today’s world—a constant soundtrack of news, music, entertainment, other people’s opinions and requests, continuous ‘to-do’ lists… To change our lives we must change our ways of thinking and viewing the world, and we can’t possibly know what we think until we get quiet enough—inside and out—to hear our own thoughts, intuition and guidance. Can time dedicated to quiet contemplation lead us into a more centered life?
How does one distinguish between a thought and a prayer? How much praying is enough? How would you change what you spend time thinking and believing, listening to- and watching-- if you knew that your thoughts had a direct impact on the world?
We continue our series on finding refuge as we explore the Sangha: the community of all those who endeavor to practice the Way of love, peace, joy, and abundance. We are uplifted, held, encouraged and supported by the community…to the extent that WE participate in community and allow ourselves this refuge. What does it require to truly be a part of a community of trust and openness, where we can find true refuge?
The Dharma is the Way itself…the directions we follow, the practices we engage in, the thoughts we think, the words we speak and the actions we take. The idea is that we can find refuge, comfort, safety in our very way of being in this world. How do we find that? What practices will lead us there?
The Buddha in this context is not a person, but a representation of the One Presence and Power in the universe. How do we contact that Presence? How do we know it is there? How can we activate this presence in our lives so that we may find our safety and our refuge in it?
In Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s letter, he outlines both the reasons for non-violence, why the time is right NOW, and the basic steps to ensure its success.
In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: 1) collection of the facts to determine whether injustices are alive; 2) negotiation; 3) self-purification; and 4) direct action. How can these apply in our daily lives as we endeavor to live non-violently in the truest sense of that word?
When we truly know what we believe, then our task is to truly live from that conviction. In choices small and large--do our thoughts, words, and actions support, illustrate our beliefs? Can others tell what we believe by the way we live? Let’s explore what it means to live out our beliefs into the world.
At COOL we don’t necessarily follow an “organized” path, but we do have some fundamental beliefs: oneness and unconditional love. In this new year, let’s get back to basics and explore these foundational ideas. What is Oneness? What does it mean to teach only love? Are there really many paths, and are they all equally valuable?
Perhaps we have all said this to ourselves a few times in our lives, when what we must have thought was a good idea at the time, turned out to be less than useful, or worse!
If we believe that we should lead an examined life, then let’s begin today to open the hood just a little higher and see what we can find by asking this simple question: “What is it within Me that would cause Me to choose this situation or choice for my life?”
Burning Bowl Sunday! Changed by the rebirth experience, we cannot keep being, doing what we’ve always done. What will we claim? What will we need to release first? Join us as we identify (and set fire to—literally!) what we wish to release from the old year, and claim our new good for the coming one! Mark your calendars and invite a few friends for this fun and festive annual tradition!
When we become conscious of the birth of the Spirit of Love and Light within, our lives change. Just as the Magi, after visiting the baby Jesus, were instructed to take a different route home in order to avoid falling into Herod’s schemes, our new awareness calls us to approach our lives from a different direction, with different energy and attitudes.
Christmas Eve traditionally marks the birth of Jesus—a symbol of innocence and infinite possibility for all of us—and reminds us to celebrate the continual re-birth of that Spirit of love and light in ourselves. Please join us at 6 pm for a contemplative Candles & Carols service, beginning with the lighting of the advent candles, and culminating in illuminating the night as we pass the light of our individual tapers, one to the other.
At this time of winter solstice when daylight time is at its shortest, the ancients longed to remember light. This Christmas season we recognize the Light of Love and its power to illumine, to beckon, to fill us and to give us hope & direction. Join us as we celebrate this festival of light and joy with lots of extra music from our music team, and revel in our own light shining brightly in the world.
Christmas is a time of giving—from the legend of the Magi, to the generosity of St. Nicholas, to the gifts we give and receive with friends and family. What does each of us really have to offer this Christmas, and how can we find deeper meaning and truly receive –and give --the gifts of Spirit that are here for us this season?
The Christmas story is one that has shaped our view of this season, just as we tend to define ourselves by our stories--our past. Stories can be helpful and bring us clarity , until the moment we become rigidly attached to a single interpretation of them. As we explore the Biblical Christmas story in ways that can free us from the ghosts of Christmas past, we are invited to free ourselves from the stories we’ve heard and told-- about the world, and about ourselves –and find new meaning.
Advent: the arrival to come. To everything there is a season, and in our culture we like the season of Having & Doing. The season of Advent asks us to wait and just BE. Mary could not force the birth of the Christ, but had to wait for the wisdom of her body. The Magi could not speed up their quest, but only follow the star of their intuition and trust it would lead them to where they were meant to be at the right time. We also are invited to enter a season of spiritual preparation--waiting for the coming birth, the gifts, the light, the birth.
Most parents urge their children to say Please and Thank You. They were considered the “magic words” that could open doors and were more likely to get us what we wanted than whining or demanding. Could this still be true? It is my experience that expressing gratitude is magical in that it opens our eyes to the blessings already all around us, and even opens our hearts to receive even greater blessings in our lives. Lets explore the magic of giving thanks this Thanksgiving holiday week.
What if everything that shows up in our lives is truly for our good? Would we learn to embrace and find the gifts in all the ways life presents itself, instead of those we predetermine to be “good”? How much energy do we waste judging and fighting conditions? Let’s explore the practice of greeting all of life with a hearty welcome.
None of us likes to be told “no,” and yet—a “no” from the universe might be just the re-direction we need to change course and find we are headed to a more enriching, fulfilling destination. In the same way, the “noes” we give to others define our boundaries and help determine the paths we take and those we avoid. Every “no” leads to a “yes” of something else. What gifts might we receive if we can learn to embrace- the wisdom of “no,” rather than fighting it?
There is power in the thoughts we think and the words we use. They illustrate the core beliefs behind them, and influence our actions and determine the reactions of the world around us. Are we living the way we say we believe? If we want to change our destiny it makes the best sense to start with our thoughts and words. Are they filled with love? Compassion? Cynicism? Suspicion?
Are you buried under crushing burdens? Projects that are too huge? Schedules that are too complicated? Maybe you are trying to do too much at once – trying to do everything instead of doing something.
Samhain is a sacred time when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds thins. We are reminded of the ancient traditions that encouraged people to don masks for protection. The Celts wore these masks not only to hide from spirits but to shield themselves from what they feared most—being truly seen. Today, as we celebrate this ancient festival, I invite you to reflect on the masks we wear, not just physical ones but the invisible ones we carry to shield ourselves from being vulnerable and authentic. It’s a moment for us to pause and recognize the ways we’ve hidden parts of ourselves. But what if instead of masking who we are, we used this moment to reveal our truest self—the unique expression of God within?
We profess to believe in the ultimate reality of the One Love - of which we are all a part, even as we face a world that can look very unloving. How do we reconcile our belief with the evidence of our eyes? Rev Mel & special guest Daniel Nahmod will engage in dialogue exploring this timely subject.
As we remember our soul connection to the natural world on Pet Blessing day, we bless the animals that come into our lives to teach us. They give lessons in love, care, and nurturing, responsibility, oneness, and non-resistance, and –ultimately--loss.
Prayer is often about what we want from life. Blessing can be about what we bring to life. We are all “blessings to the world,” as the song says—but how much more so when we are intentional with our blessing? Can we truly bless life on purpose? Do we have that power? Instead of “What’s in it for me,” we can practice, “What’s in it FROM me?”
When we live life in box—with defined, clear edges, reasons, absolutes, we limit ourselves (and try to limit God) to a level of our human understanding. Our perspective is small and centered in the self. But to allow mystery—to rest in the process of life as a whole, rather than focus on the singular events we see and think we can define—is to open to being happy even when conditions do not seem to dictate it.
If not now, when? If not me, who? The life of the Spirit allows joy and contentment without needing conditions to be perfect. So why do we keep piling up our “good works” and denying “bad?” What reward do we think will come in any time other than this, right now? If heaven is now--how, then do we live in it?
To change is to do something different—or do the same thing differently. Yet, when we change we can always go back to old behaviors. Transformation is when we become something different. A butterfly can never go back to being a caterpillar. In what ways are you changing? Have you noticed any transformations in your life?
Magic, wonder, anticipation, openness, opportunity for awe are just a few of the gifts that come when we let go of “knowing.” Expertise is not wisdom. Expertise is what we can acquire through much practice, but wisdom is something we “become” after years of experiencing the results of our practice—expected and unexpected. This week we explore the wisdom and the blessings that come from not knowing.
As I compose this theme, I am about to embark upon my Sabbatical (a word that comes from the same root as “Sabbath” ), having very little idea of how I will experience this time apart. I am excited, nervous, and expecting the unexpected—knowing that there will be challenges and gifts, both-- which will serve to further my growth as a spirit “being human,” and as a minister. In my first week back I will share with you some of the gifts and “growth opportunities” from this time I have promised to “keep holy.”
Today’s talk is about the power of creating your life from the inside out. Whatever you “see”, whatever you think life is like, or what others are like, is a product of your own perceptions.
If this is true then the key to having the life you want is becoming that which you desire to see in the world.
The Law of Attraction tells us we are Living Magnets that invariably attract into our lives the people, circumstances, and situations that are in harmony with our dominant thoughts.
Today Rev. Dr. Pjae Stanley will share with us three action steps for changing any part of our lives we are unhappy with by changing the habitual way you think.
One of the main questions in life is why human beings tend to choose chaos over happiness? We seem to do this even when we say we know better. We will examine this duality using the thoughts of spiritual thinkers to look even deeper!
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. The Serenity Prayer has been a source of comfort and clarity for many people from many walks of life for the last century. Its origins may go further back that. The genius of this simple prayer is that it reveals to us that we cannot control all the conditions of the world around us, and yet there will be things we can change, indeed that we are called by Spirit to change. Once we have been granted the wisdom to know what is ours to do, how do we summon the courage needed to change?
Join us as Nancy and the Prayer Partners discuss how our prayers progress from childhood forward.
People in my galaxy are terrified, heartbroken and exhausted scrambling in their minds to figure things out. I want to remind you - Figure It Out is NOT a good slogan!
Earlier this year, CJMiller shared his experience with God and the creative process. In Force or Flow, CJMiller explains what he means by "Intelligence of Being" and why you should trust it. Spirit is speaking to us in every life situation and when we step into Spirit we trust the process and the unfolding.
Life happens and, in the chaos, we forget that we hold the key to bringing peace into the situation at hand. Beloved guest speaker Kim Andrews guides you through the ways we can honor our true nature, enhance our awareness of the Divine, and bless every facet of our being.
This beloved prayer has been used in the recovery of countless people. It very simply helps us to remember what is ours to change and what is not. Then we can put our attention and energy into the places where healing is available— in ourselves, our outlook, our attitudes, our lives. Then we trust God to do God’s work and allow others the dignity of their own experiences and choices.
The essence of the 12th step is that we pass our healing on and not try to keep it to ourselves. Unless we consistently practice these spiritual principles in every area of life, we’ll quickly forget and lose the progress we’ve made. Being of service and leading by example-- sharing our experience, strength and hope with those we would serve-- is how we continue to grow in serenity, in spirit, in evolution. We speak of what we were like in our suffering, what happened, what we learned and how we now live differently, in joy and freedom.
In order to maintain our newfound spiritual freedom, we must keep in touch with ourselves—our Higher Self, our Higher Power, however we understand that to be. Conscious connection keeps us from piling up more shame and blame and miscommunications and helps us keep ego in check. As we do this our trust in God increases, as we realize that letting Spirit rule instead of Ego always gets us to a happier place.
After we’ve taken a truthful, non-judgmental look at our lives, we clear the shame for what is not ours and take responsibility for what IS. We become willing to make any amends needed to clear the slate in our relationships—with others and within ourself. Then we take the action necessary to follow through. After that, we keep up daily in order to not let the junk pile up again. We move thru’ life more smoothly, freely; we cease fighting what is, and find peace within.
Once we have a clearer picture of what in our life has served us and what has held us prisoner, then we’re free to learn to live differently, if we so desire. We ready ourselves through willingness and trust, and ask our higher power to help us to change what we can, even as we accept what we cannot change.
In order to “recover” we must begin to see clearly who we have been, who we are, and who we want to be, so we “take stock” of the truth --without judgment. We no longer take the weight of burdens that are not ours to carry, nor need to assign blame to others as we begin to deal with life as it IS not as we wish it to be.
Step Two: “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity” Admitting personal powerlessness allows us to activate a Higher Power in our lives. We can call that power by any name: God, Mother Nature, the Universe, the Sangha (group of spiritual peers), our Higher Self, the Buddha, or Fred. It doesn’t matter what we name it, as long as we are willing to call on it. To do so, we learn trust-- that it is good and for our good.
Step one: “We admitted we were powerless over _____, that our lives had become unmanageable.” This step is about letting go of the thought that we can control anything outside ourselves. We come to understand that in our humanness we never had “control” to begin with, so we only surrender our illusions, and have lost nothing at all.
At COOL our tagline is “Many Paths, One Spirit.” What does that mean? How can we all choose our own individual path, and yet come together each week in study, song, message, meditation, spiritual practice—in unity? How can people across worlds and cultural divides and varying belief systems ever achieve peace and harmony? For that matter, how can we even truly befriend someone who holds beliefs with which we strongly disagree? By finding the unity in the variety—the common threads that tie all of humanity. What are they? How can we activate them in our lives?
We all are free to choose how and what we think, believe and accept about ourselves, our world, and our place in it—to find our own answers to the questions our hearts ask. When we exercise the power of choice we take full advantage of that freedom, and life gets really interesting and rewarding. Or we can slip into ‘habit mind’ and fail to use our power of choice. This week we will talk about how to keep choice in the forefront of our minds and lives so we can live a life of intentionality rather than one of default.
As a girl brought up in a fundamentalist Christian church, I learned that to even question what I was taught as the (one and only) truth about God and the nature of the universe was dangerous and sinful, and left me teetering on the brink of hell. What I know now is that the power to question is fundamental to our freedom as human beings, and that any spirituality that is coerced rather than chosen freely is no spirituality at all. Let’s explore some of the most important questions to ask of ourselves and the universe.
Last month we talked about the consciousness of abundance. We know it is necessary to change consciousness in order to change outer conditions, and learned how we impoverish ourselves in multitudinous ways when we hold a consciousness of lack. We also hinted at how difficult it can be to change consciousness so that we see changed results in our outer world. This week we will talk about specific activities, attitudes, and habits we can cultivate to bring about the change in consciousness that allows us to live the abundant lives we are here to live.
Jesus made his final journey into Jerusalem with a large group of disciples. Why? Is there spiritual strength in numbers?
Each of us has within us all we need to be fully at one with the love and power of the One. Yet, this is difficult to remember and to practice in the face of a world of ego that often looks, thinks and acts as if we were separate from God and from each other. In Spiritual community, we join in awareness of Truth, we experience love, support, & compassion, and together…we more firmly and consistently remember the truth of who we are.
When people talk to me about fundraising, I like to talk instead about consciousness raising. When we understand that we are not separate; that what is ours to give can never be taken from us; then we are full participants in the ongoing flow of Divine Abundance. We begin to experience the freedom of forgiveness, the truth of our oneness, the joy of generosity, and fear no longer has a foothold.
Traditional prayer models in the Judeo/Christian/Abrahamic religions consist of beseeching, petitioning, or begging a God that is somewhere “out there” for mercy or special favors.
At cool we pray affirmatively: from an understanding that the Presence of Spirit is within us, therefore our desires are known and there is no need to beg or convince any separate “being.” Instead, we pray to bring that Presence into our full awareness, and to align our human will with the energy of Divine Love which is always for our good.
“There is a crack in everything, that is how the light gets in.” -Leonard Cohen We all are perfectly Imperfect. How can we use art to learn the lessons of our perceived imperfections? What if our imperfections are spiritual opportunities? Author artist, and speaker CJ Miller discusses universal lessons learned from making art. We are all creators. Lessons learned from making art apply to our Spiritual journey.
We try to so hard to meet standards set by others, or our own false ones. The truth is that doing our best is actually the BEST we can do, and when we acknowledge this we cease to punish ourselves for not doing or being “better.” When we become aware of our inner “judge,” we can begin to let go of arbitrary “rules” that have nothing to do with truth. We go within to find our own personal best and live in peace as we practice it.
We humans hate the unknown (and most things in this world are unknown). In the absence of information we make up stories—assumptions not based on truth but on fear. These assumptions are harmful—even devastating-- to ourselves and others. When we stop these assumptions, our joy increases a thousand-fold.
What other people do is ALWAYS about them, and never about us. Yet we torture ourselves with the words and actions of others every day. If we change only this one fundamental agreement, our lives are dramatically transformed.
In this first lesson, we learn how powerful our words are, and how we unconsciously use them against ourselves and others. We punish ourselves for the same mistake—not once but over and over again. We judge, find ourselves lacking, penalize ourselves, then pass that judgment and punishment on to others I an endless cycle. In this agreement, we break the cycle and begin using the impeccability of our word for good for ourselves, others, and the planet.
In the Hebrew legend, Joseph’s own brothers were his enemies…or were they? Through their despicable acts, Joseph triumphs and finds glory and more—true humility. Pema Chodrun, Buddhist nun, teaches that the worst experiences of life can be our best teachers, as they strip us of our armor and our masks and allow us to know ourselves as we truly are. Can anyone be against us if God (Love) is with us?
We are all on a spiritual path—a path of growth and evolution. A path of growing awareness of who we are…and…we are 100% loveable, just as we are. This feels like a paradox. There is nothing wrong with us, and yet we wish—we yearn--to change. How do we navigate having goals of being “better” people, while loving ourselves exactly as we are?
Are things really getting worse, as it sometimes seems, especially if you watch the news or “reality” TV? Or is the world pretty much as it has always been? Life is full of kindness and beauty, also heartache and loss. Let’s explore this paradox using wisdom from the Hebrew prophet in Ecclesiastes and from Sufi saint Jalaluddin Rumi.
On this New Year’s Eve we take stock of what “old stuff” we are willing to release and what new good we wish to claim for our lives in the coming year. In our “burning bowl” ceremony, weliterally set fire to our lists of what no longer serves, and enter into a meditation for guidance of what is to be ours in the newness of life into which we are being reborn!
In the Christmas Eve story of possibility and birth, we are both the ones bearing the re-birth of the soul into new possibility, and the newness of soul being reborn. This story is rich in the symbolism of oneness and infinite love that is our source and our substance. Celebrate with us in this special service full of carol singing, extra music and candle lighting. Full music on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofOneLoveDFW/videos/1499982367451499
The Star was a light that guided the Wise. The wise men were wise because they had the strength and insight to follow their own inner guidance (the star) instead of listening to what was “sensible” in the physical world. We each hold the light of the celestial, and the energy of the Divine gives our human selves the fortitude and ability to follow that light.
The Hanukkah (or Chanukah) story says that a single days’ oil miraculously lasted for 8 days to light the temple in Jerusalem so that it could be purified for the celebration of Jewish Holy Days. The story is rich in symbolism, as we all embody the miracle of light and energy.
The ordinary and the extraordinary exist in all of us. In the Christmas story the shepherds trembled in fear, and angels both calmed the fears of the people in the story and celebrated the good news. We are human and divine, of body and spirit. We will look at how the shepherds and angels represent who we are at depth.
Do we see, yet don’t see, the movement and synchronicities of Divinity in your life?
The demands of daily life make it easy for us to overlook the subtle movements of the divine around us. But with a simple shift in perspective, we can learn to see, get confirmation, and interact with the energies of Divine ONENESS surrounding us. Join us on Nov. 26, 2023, to hear Dr. Pennie Murray share the simple way she’s learning to see Divine ONENESS in plain sight.
Gratitude is the attitude of healing, of abundance, of love, of realizing and expressing our oneness. It is in gratitude that we find out how blessed we are. We are only grateful, though, if we are truly paying attention. Let’s explore this life-changing spiritual practice. Come prepared to share what you are most grateful for!!
In the Sikh tradition, Oneness is the first and greatest teaching. All others flow from it. It is also our greatest value at COOL. When we know we are one, how does that inform how we approach the world? What are we to do in times like these when there is so much division? How can we truly know our oneness with each other? We’ll explore these and other ideas about putting Oneness into practice.
Fairy tales are full of heroes sweeping in to save the day, but really, we don’t need to look far away from our everyday life to see numerous everyday heroes quietly doing their thing. A true hero should encourage us to transform ourselves for the better. As an artist and songwriter, I write songs of personal heroic journeys hoping to inspire an emotion in the listener. But each one of us is a creator, a storyteller, a memory keeper and our creations and actions go out into the world like dandelion seeds, touching people’s lives in ways we may never know about. How people remember us, hopefully with love, joy, and gratitude, will be an important part of our legacies. Join Sue Riley as she shares stories of her own heroes and inspires you to remember your own heroes.
The ability to detach from that which we cannot control is a vital skill. The word “detachment” is used a lot these days in pop psychology and self-help books…but what does it mean, exactly? And how do we go about doing it? Do we need to reject people, places situations? OR –can we detach with love rather than contempt or anger or isolation? We’ll talk about developing this skill on the spiritual path.
What do our pets know about unconditional love that we seem to miss or misunderstand? As human beings, we are mammals—part of the animal kingdom—and yet we forget our brother- and sister- hood with the other creatures of this world. Can we learn to love as unconditionally as a devoted dog? What other blessings do we receive from the non-human animals in this world? Let’s explore the gifts animals give us and give back by blessing them in return.
The Buddha taught that the way to Nirvana—peace, equanimity, joy, is to learn to accept the world as it is, rather than spend our mental, emotional, and spiritual energy resisting. Acceptance is a vital spiritual discipline, but does it mean we give up? Condone what is “wrong” with the world, and don’t try to change anything? A strong “no” to that. What DOES it mean for us in our increasingly “unacceptable” world?
We cannot avoid negative things in the is world. Loss, death, grief, regrettable actions & words, shame, guilt, even despair. The trick to life is not to avoid these at all costs (not possible, and incredibly limiting try) but to learn the skill of resilience. And yes, it’s a skill, not something we are either born with or without.
A generation ago the word “mantra” brought about visuals of crossed-legged Indian Yogis on pillows or maybe of special (and expensive) classes that would give you your own “secret” one. Today the word is used more often, and some of its mystique is gone, but do we really know what it means? Let’s learn what mantra really is and how we can all use it to develop a life that is healthier, more mindful, closer to the truth of our being…immersed and saturated in Divine Love.
More than 70 % of Americans believe in Angels. What are they? What do various scriptures say? How do they work in the world? Are You one? Could you be?
We have prayed the Metta prayer with each other all of August. Let’s check in and see how it may have changed us and our world, and talk about the meanings of the prayer and how to continue using it as a tool for transformation of ourselves and our relationships.
The fastest growing segment of people in 21stcentury society describes itself as “Spiritual not Religious.” What does that mean? Humankind has always sought to understand the world, and our place in it. In trying to make sense of the world humans developed incomplete explanations, mythology, magic, and false spiritual hierarchy to help us navigate the mysteries of life and death, good and evil, so we could feel safe. The old paradigms do not work in the modern world, so let’s explore what Einstein called the “Cosmic Religious Feeling” –a drive toward a universal world order--that still motivates us to explain our world—through scientific study, philosophy, contemplation, and yes… faith.
There are many negative connotations to the word “sacrifice.” We think of it in terms of martyrdom and deprivation. But what if we take it back to its roots? How can we bring the sacred into everyday life? We’ll explore perspectives and practices to help us remember our own wholeness—holiness--and that of this world we live in, and to feel closer to the Divine.
This phrase has been misinterpreted and misused to keep the underdog in his place. Did Jesus mean we are supposed to be doormats? Take abuse? Or is there much more to it? Let’s explore this and others from the “Sermon on the Mount” that may have a richer meaning than we at first suspect.
The teachings of Jesus the Christ are all about being truly loving—not later, when we all get to “Glory”-- but now, in this difficult, confusing world. Not to those who already love us, but to our enemies. He welcomed the child-like and would rescue the smallest lamb. He also said he came “to bring a sword.” The spiritual path is fraught with such paradoxes. How do we reconcile these two seemingly disparate teachings?
In many Eastern religious traditions, we are taught that our object on the spiritual path is to transcend and overcome this world...to become “enlightened,” whereas the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity) teach us that we will never be “good” and must rely on the mercy of God (and follow certain rules). Modern psychology teaches us that in order to change anything we must first come to acceptance. Are these ideas in direct opposition or are they different sides of the same coin?
Most of us who rebel against religion are actually put off—not by the religion itself (which is arguably just a moral system illustrated by myth and story)--but by the fundamentalist way that religion (and those stories) have been presented. Each religious system is seated in a specific time, place, and culture; its writings contain static & localized imagery, idiom, legends, and era-specific cultural mores, while we humans --and life itself --are never static, ever moving, progressing, and evolving.
This is the tagline for our logo at COOL. We speak a lot about Oneness and our awakening into the awareness of the One Spirit—the Spirit of Love. But what are the “many paths?” Does it mean the paths of the world’s major religions? How can different religions or religious paths all lead to one place? How many paths are there? How are they represented here, and how can we know when we’ve found the “right” one?
Every week we begin our offering affirmation this way. What does it mean to have Divine love flowing through us? How can it bless and multiply? How can giving something away be the very thing that draws more to us? Let’s explore the idea of abundance consciousness.
It is easy to think of freedom in terms of what we are getting away from: Freedom from enslavement, from prison, from dependence or being bound to another. However, simply breaking free from what has been leaves us likely to perpetuate the same conditions from which we escaped unless we are aware and make conscious choices to move toward something new. What do we want to be FREE to do and be?
We mentally know that we are hear to do great things, does our heart know and how willing are we to take actions to make it happen?
Join us as we honor Father’s Day by learning about the blessings of the “Father Within,” the Divine Masculine, as well as the gifts we receive (often harder to see and appreciate) from the very human fathers and father figures in our lives.
We will also pay tribute to our newest national holiday: Juneteenth! with music and poetry.
One of the basic teachings of New Thought is that “thoughts held in mind produce after their kind”-- the Law of Attraction in expression. Is this a simplistic way of viewing the world and our place in it? Does this mean the world is within our personal control? What about when things go “wrong”? Let’s discuss how “thoughts become things,” and –most important--how we can make our love “matter” in the world.
Each week we say aloud the mission and Vision statements for our beloved community. Like all oft-repeated phrases, it can become rote and lose its meaning. Join us in exploring the importance of these statements, our core purpose, and the spiritual values we hold dear at COOL.
This holiday focuses on the men and women of the armed forces who have lost their lives in battle. We will honor that commitment of life, and also honor whatever there is in our own lives that needs to remain unforgotten. As we remember our painful pasts, our losses, struggles—we can see them anew as a vehicles of learning, as shining examples or dire warnings, as things that strengthen and bring us to gratitude, to forgiveness, to release…but not forgetfulness.
Certified Laughter Yoga instructor and long time New Thought leader Carla Edwards will be our guest speaker this Sunday, so be prepared to connect through laughter!
Melinda will deliver this Mother’s Day message about the many gifts we receive from the Divine Mother through the mothers and mother figures in our lives—wanted and unwanted gifts—appreciated and not. From each gift is an opportunity to grow!
Words can be hollow without committed action. Many of us proclaim “Peace begins with me” yet our thoughts, words, and deeds often say otherwise. What does a life committed to peace look like? How can we give ourselves and humanity the true gift of peace? Kim shares lessons learned from her own life and the lives of other peacemakers to help guide you onto a path of peace.
The entire game of life is about making the best use of your energy. The question is not, “Is there life after death?” The question is, “Is there life before death?”
Let’s Celebrate Earth Day by exploring the spirituality of nature. WE all know the feeling of being awed by the beauty of a sunset—the stillness of a lake—highway banks covered in bluebonnets... These are gifts—mystical gifts. But let’s explore a little further… Do Trees talk? Can dogs feel? Can plants love their life? Mother Nature nurtures us. What is our responsibility to Her?
The Buddha taught that to be awake and mindful is to transcend the wheel of Karma. Jesus said over and over again that it is only he who has eyes to see, who has ears to hear, that will receive the message of transcendence, and become able to live in love. How can simply paying attention to what is before us—the tedium of our daily lives—transform our experience of- and responses to- the world?
The myth of the legendary bird rising from the ashes is an ancient, powerful and universal one. Jesus’ resurrection signifies that opportunity for redemption—the second chances that are always available because life itself is eternal—only temporary forms can die. New life, new hope, new paradigms are always on the other side. That said, what does this story have to teach us today?
“Jerusalem” literally means, “City of Peace.” Palm Sunday is the day traditional churches celebrate Jesus entry into the city just days before he would lose his life. What does it mean to go into the City of Peace? How can we be peaceful the face of dread and heartache? How did Jesus? We will use this story as an instruction manual for keeping the peace.
We can all agree that this life is imperfect, trying, frustrating and even at times terrifying…and what’s to love about that? Yet, how can we possibly hope to find happiness if we have no love for life itself? We all spend so much energy trying to change what is not possible, or not OURS to change, but does giving up the struggle for control mean giving up on life?
So many of us were brought up in a belief that God is fickle and untrustworthy, if not downright mean. Even the non-religious experience Is God punishing? These cultural beliefs conflict with the idea that God is Love. Let’s explore how to let go of societal beliefs to come to our own understanding of the Divine.
This Sunday is our annual recommitment ceremony, where we pledge renewed love to ourselves, another, and the Divine.
What is a loving relationship? What does it mean to be a “good” friend? A “good” spouse, partner, parent or child? What about those who have been unkind to us, stood in our way, or even abused us? Do they “deserve” our love? What are boundaries, really? And how can they make us MORE loving?
How can I love another if I’m unwilling or unable to love and esteem and value myself? What does self-love mean? Is it the same as self-care? Let’s explore the deepest question we ask ourselves on the spiritual path…Am I Worthy?
This is one of the first stories children are taught in Sunday School, and sadly it portrays God as vengeful, punishing, exclusive. We know God as the opposite--open, loving, & expansive. So how could loading pairs of animals onto a huge boat to escape a great flood possibly have any relevance for us? Let’s explore this story and find out.
We will unpack the creation stories in the Bible and see what Adam and Eve - the archetypes of human beings in the early stages of spirituality - really have to teach us.
Special Guest SuZ Ogden returns to Church of One Love to bring her special brand of music and magic, sermon and song.
What was the real miracle of Jesus’ birth? Is that really the moment “love came down” to the earth? Or was the love here all along, but the child who grew into the man Jesus grew to fully realize that love within himself? Jesus tells us that “The Father” and “the Kingdom” are not somewhere far away, but among us, within us. Let this joyous Christmas Celebration service awaken you to the limitless Love within you!
We sing of peace on earth this time of year. Does it really exist? We will explore personal & planetary peace (and any lack thereof) through the story of King Herod around the birth of Jesus, and find our personal roadblocks to peace, as well as our gateways to it.
2000 years ago, Mary & Joseph set out on a journey, Mary knowing she was “expecting,” but not knowing what to expect, and Joseph confused but trusting and waiting for what was to be revealed. As we celebrate Christmas, many of us have expectations and preconceived notions that could limit the joy of the season, unless we are fully awake to the wonder of what if- and what is.
We all know that forgiveness is an important aspect of the spiritual path. Holding on to past hurts, anger, grudges can block us from fully experiencing the joys of life. We seem to know we SHOULD forgive, and sometimes even want to—but we don’t always know how. Let’s explore what it takes to truly practice forgiveness and experience the amazing freedom of letting go.
Our belief in Love, Oneness, and the basic goodness of the universe should lead us all to experiencing abundant life. So if we are not—WHY not? In other words, “If Spirit is a good giver, why am I not receiving?” This week we’ll explore the roadblocks that can get in the way of our receiving and living life in rich abundance.
The ways we define it helps determine how (or if) we experience it. We often ignore our prosperity in some areas of life because we feel lacking in others. This week we will talk about how we define “prosperity” vs. “poverty,” “abundant life” vs. simply surviving. Then we will explore how gratitude can lead us to expanding our capacity to recognize, experience, and enjoy prosperity.
The celebrations of the Autumnal equinox is as old and rich as the autumn itself. Pagans (of the Nature religions) believed that the coming of winter meant the thinning of the veil between life and death. This was to be celebrated not feared. Many of our modern holiday celebrations—from Dia De Los Muertos to Halloween parties have their beginnings in these ancient rites, and have spiritual significance to us today.
Ever wish you had a magical eraser that could erase anything? If you did, what would you erase…A. Your beliefs? B. The experience of an ex-lover, spouse, or someone else? C. Your mistakes/poor choices? D. Yourself?
Tao 33, 36, 38 We all want to be good—or at least to be thought of as good. Can we be good if we just try hard enough? The Tao says that true goodness does not know itself. What does that mean? What is the nature of goodness itself? Let’s explore this subject through the lens of this ancient Chinese scripture.
Everywhere we look there are lessons from the natural world, from the plants’ natural turning toward the sun to instincts and loyalties of our pets. Join us for a special pet blessing and gain wisdom from the animal world.
48 “The world is governed by letting things take their course. It cannot be governed through interference.” 56 “Those Who Know do not talk. Those who talk do not know”
The Tao is full of similar paradoxes—two extant truths that seem at odds with each other. It is in coming to terms with paradox that wisdom is found.
The single thing humans are most afraid of is…CHANGE. Even when we very much want change and can see it is for our good, it’s difficult to leave the past in the past and walk boldly and bravely into what’s next. Rev Mel will discuss why and how to let go of what was then and is now—in order to pave the way for what is to be.
Guest speaker Rev Dr PJae Stanley shares how our spirituality can work for us 24 hours a day—7 days a week. When we actively engage with Spirit, our personal relationship with Divine Principle makes our individual lives more loving, abundant and joy-filled, even as we make the world a better place thru loving connection with God and others.
(What’s on the Shelves?) Rev Mel is back this week, with a look at how to be truly self-aware and self-observant with absolute self-love and self-compassion. When dare to see ourselves as we are—without comparison or regret—we let go of shame, judgment, defensiveness, and need for constant justification.
Do we know what we believe? Can we articulate it? Do we hold our big decisions and small daily choices up to our beliefs and values, and if so… do our actions support and illustrate our beliefs? Can others tell what we believe by the way we live? Let’s explore these questions in order to clarify for ourselves what we value most.
Are both necessary? We have a tendency to want to be in the “light” all the time. To “see the light,” to “take ourselves lightly.” And yet many great master teachers have taught us the importance of our journey through the “dark night of the soul.” There is beauty and healing in taking a good look at our darker sides, facing our fears, our rage, our selfishness and our doubts. We can’t bring light into the shadow until we are willing to go there unadorned.
Love is the answer…always. But what are the questions we deal with day after day? Not just the big ones but the small, seemingly inconsequential ones? And how do we show love when people don’t really want our love or are not ready to receive it? Let’s explore simple practices we can do every day to make our lives—and thus the world—a more loving place.
Why do we gather here? WE have a mission, a vision, and most of have our own spiritual practices that we are more or less dedicated to, so why do we have church? We could practice our spirituality in solitude, and/or in our every-day lives. So why do we come together week after week? Let’s explore the power of togetherness.
The idea that the very holiest of places are places where healing has taken place, rather than where healing was never needed, is an extraordinary lens with which to view the world and our lives. Thus we see all “negative” events as having purpose and meaning. WE see ourselves as able to bring holiness into the world.
Most of us were taught to pray to change things we see as needing change. We pray for healing, for wealth, for relief from suffering, etc. The Course teaches the vital practice of praying to be shown how to see things differently as the most effective way to transform our world.
Perhaps the most revolutionary (and paradoxically obvious) ideas presented in the Course is the idea that all the things we label negatively: hatred, rage, jealously, disdain, dismissiveness, disgust, sarcasm, selfishness, etc…are really expressions of fear, and when viewed in that light invite our compassion instead of vengefulness.
The Prophet said, “…I have seen the freest among you wear their freedom as a yoke and a handcuff.” We are free—not when we are completely unfettered, but when we rise above the chains of our false ideas of freedom.
The Prophet said, “Your reason and your passion are the rudder and sails of your seafaring soul. If either…be broken, you can but toss and drift…or be held at a standstill. We will use these inspired teachings to explore the Divine Masculine –personified here by “Reason” --and understand that only balance between the two can make us whole and harmonious.
When asked of Good and Evil, the prophet replied: “ Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil. For what is evil but good tortured by its own hunger and thirst?” We are all good, yet led to evil action by our own hungers, fears, ignorance.
“Love one another but make not a bond of love…even as [love] crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth, so is he for your pruning.” These words about the Truth of love as not just a good thing, but for our highest good are revolutionary when we can receive and integrate this truth in to our lives.
Earth is reborn in Spring, and we honor the magnificence, resilience, power, strength, and steadfastness of this amazing physical planet that is our home. Does the earth also have a Spirit? What might it be saying to us? How can we listen? Let’s explore the lessons our beautiful Earth has to teach us about ourselves and about every living thing.
Did the resurrection really happen? Literally? Whether it did nor not (spoiler alert—we’ll never know and perhaps it’s beside the point), what is the point? What relevance does the story have for us today? How can we “be reborn” after we are old? Why should we? Is there really always a second chance, no matter what has happened, what we have done?
It’s Palm Sunday! There have been many great Teachers and Masters in the world’s religions. Why are people still talking about Jesus today? Perhaps part of what makes Christianity such a phenomenon is the relatable human at its center. One who was born, and who died--who overcame impossible odds. We identify with a Master Teacher that has lived on our plane, in the mire and muck of human life. What does Jesus’ humanness have to teach us? Let’s explore this question thru this story of triumph and tragedy… and triumph again.
The healthiest and most helpful attitude toward unanswerable questions and existential mysteries is a sense of humor and a sense of wonder.
Guest speaker Greg Tamblyn weaves together a sacred lesson experience with funny, award-wining songs, stories, a meditation, and powerful group meditation music. Get filled up with a healthy dose of music and laughter, plus a profound experience of the Sacred. Join us for love and laughter!
What does it look like to truly live openly and generously? How do we create a whole new outlook in life: open hearted, open handed, undefended, not keeping score? How is generosity reflected in our words, deeds, demeanor? Generous with what? Money? Praise? Time? Benefit of doubt? We’ll talk about practical examples of life lived fully and generously.
Obviously we cannot just give constantly. We must also be open to receive. How might our reluctance to receive or allow or believe in our good hold us back from receiving? How do we find balance, humility? This week we’ll explore practical ways to improve our ability to receive all our good.
What is spiritual giving? Tithing? What’s the difference between “giving” and “releasing, letting go”? How do we let go of old ideas, thoughts, baggage, habits, memories that hold us back? Where does forgiveness come in? Fear? Judgment? Thoughts of lack? Insecurity? What about humility?
The “Law of Prosperity” has become a buzz-phrase in today’s world. We see it taught in “Spiritual academy” settings, touted in self-help books, hear it invoked on TV, and even by mainstream Christian organizations, yet many people employ it on the most shallow of levels. Let’s explore what “prosperity” really means. Is it just about stuff, money? What is “Spiritual Materialism?” What is the “Law of Prosperity?” How does it work, or does it? What does it mean to “manifest good” in your life? What else do we “manifest”?
How do we keep a truly loving relationship with Spirit? With the God of our understanding?
In us, in others, in Nature? In Oneness? If we are in Oneness, how can we have a relationship with the Divine? Is there any difference between Divine Love, Self love, and Human love?
Let’s explore what it means to be in relationship with sacredness & wholeness.
How do we have truly loving relationships with family, friends, partners, lovers? …or the mail carrier or grocery clerk?
What is a “healthy” relationship? How do we choose healthy people to relate with? Is it even possible if we ourselves are not healthy? Why should we be in good relationship with people we don’t care about? What role does compassion play? This week we’ll explore some practices to deepen and strengthen our relationships with others in our lives.
Is self-love really important? Is it the same as self-regard, self-esteem, selfishness? Have we been taught that it’s better to love others than to love ourselves? If it’s important to find self-love, then HOW? How do we go about having and keeping a truly loving relationship with ourselves? We will talk about the differences between self-love as honoring the Oneness, and self-love as narcissism and ego-centricity, and practice truly loving ourselves, body, mind, spirit.
We know how gratitude can take us out of the darkest places in our own minds. How does it lead to compassion and generosity? What does compassion actually mean, and how do we practice it? Could gratitude and compassion lead us into a more abundant and generous way of living? How can we be generous and remain prosperous?
Forgiveness is also an often misunderstood concept, yet of all spiritual practices, it may be the most powerfully and demonstrably life-changing. People who have the capacity to forgive are truly free—to lead healthier, happier, more joyful lives. But it is not easy. HOW do we go about forgiving that which seems unforgiveable ? WHY would we want to forgive? What does it look like in practice? What is freedom and why is it important?
Acceptance is one of the most misunderstood words in our spiritual lexicon. How can we “accept” abuse, or bad behavior, or loss? We will try to demystify the word and find out the difference : true healthy acceptance vs. approving or condoning the unkind or horrific.
When we focus on the micro, we forget that there is a bigger picture, and that we are an integral part of it. When we try to control, it can appear that we are thwarted at every turn. How can perspective and humility allow us to fully receive our joy? We often forget that humor is one of the greatest gifts we have. It can turn the miserable into the enjoyable, it can turn what seem like mountains back into molehills, and most of all—help us to connect.
What are you/we willing to do to create that abundance in 2022? Let’s open our minds, our hearts and our hands to create that abundance together!
We will celebrate the new year with our annual Burning Bowl ceremony, as we carefully discern and let go of what no longer serves, and identify and welcome our souls’ desires for the coming year. What is weighing you down? What would true freedom feel like? What makes you feel not free? We will use meditation and ritual to ready ourselves to fully let go of the past, while also preparing to receive the good that is promised to us.
The Christmas Miracle has happened. What next? As we get ready to move into the New Year, how can we take the gifts of Christmas –literal and figurative-and make a truly new world for ourselves? Is it possible to regain innocence lost? How do we “keep the spirit all through the year?”
Reverend Melinda finishes her series on the 12 Steps to Transformation. This week's message is titles "Be It, Keep It, Share It". We hope you enjoy.
When people ask what your church believes, what do you tell them? When we changed our name to Church of One Love, our web presence and tagline changed. As we are an independent entity, we don’t necessarily follow an “organized” path. What does it mean to teach only love? Are there really many paths, and are they all equally viable?
This is the day our country celebrates its independence from Imperial rule. We profess many freedoms in America, but what does freedom actually mean? What is spiritual freedom? Is it as – or more – important compared to our physical, political, social, educational, financial freedoms? What other kinds of freedoms are there? How do we get there?
A Course in Miracles defines a miracle as a shift in perspective from fear to love. One of the most challenging areas to experience this kind of shift can be with our family. Through personal stories and lessons learned from years of facilitating the revolutionary healing modality known as Family Constellations, John will help us understand the hidden family dynamics at play that keep us from the happy, healthy, prosperous lives we were meant to live. This broader understanding, along with a few tools from A Course in Miracles and Family Constellations, will help us open our hearts even wider, allowing more love to flow in and out. Get ready for a miracle!
God is traditionally spoken of (especially in Christianity) as "Father." The predominant energy of the world's people has been, for centuries, heavily weighted towards the masculine. Is the Divine Masculine a negative thing? What is the energy of God the Father? How does it affect our lives? How can we balance our energies so we best serve ourselves and the world?
Yoga means Unity, and Hindus believe there are four main paths to achieving it. Bhakti Yoga is the path of love and devotion. It can show up as worship and praise and as compassion. In New Thought, we are not much into praise (at least as it has been presented in traditional Christianity). So how can we walk a path of Bhakti Yoga while also knowing our essential worth and ONEness?
Yoga means Unity, and Hindus believe there are four main paths to achieving it. Karma Yoga is the Path of Working without thought of reward, or even achievement. Think of Mother Teresa. Can selfless service help us to realize our oneness? How? Is it true that what we do for others we do for ourselves? What are the pitfalls? Can selflessness itself become an ego trip?
Yoga means Unity, and Hindus believe there are 4 main paths to achieving it. Raja Yoga is the Royal Path of Meditation. (What is true silence? What must we do in order to experience it? Stop thinking?) Jnana Yoga is the Path of knowledge. (Can we really KNOW ultimate reality? Or does living in these bodies prevent us from clear knowing and seeing? How can we sort the real from the unreal? How does one comprehend true Oneness?)
Have you ever heard another person describe a scene you've just witnessed, but hear them draw a completely different conclusion? How does your own conclusion affect you? Can you change your experience of the world by seeing it differently? How and why?
This is a question often asked as an accusation of arrogance or ego. But what if it is actually the most important question you could ever ask yourself? What if the answer—your personal answer—to that question could determine the course of your life? Would your answer bring you joy? Guilt? Misery? Could you change your answer? How?
We speak of God as having both masculine and feminine qualities. What would immersion in the love of the Divine Mother feel like? Does a physical embodiment like Mary of Kuan Yin have meaning? How can we embrace the Feminine in each of us, whether we are male or female? Why should we?
Our first Sunday back to LIVE SERVICE! Do all paths truly lead to Home? What or where IS our true home? Can we arrive at a place we never met? What is a spiritual journey - a path, or a destination?
As we progress on the spiritual path, we begin to notice subtleties. Are we creating Life, or is Life happening through us? How can we so deeply embody our True Selves that we express life AS the One? Can we? What would that look like?
Does life happen to us, for us, or by us? Do we have any control? How can we escape being the victim? Does the Law of Attraction really work? Do we react to it as it unfolds, or are we in a process of co-creation with God? Is it either/or… or is it both/and?
Often our tendency is to rush forward in an effort to resolve an issue in our lives. However, if we just pause, listen, and wait for the go-ahead from Divine Wisdom, the perfect resolution awaits us.
In the week preceding Easter, Jesus is welcomed and triumphed, denied and betrayed, and left to die, yet—changed the world in such a way that 2000 years later, we're still talking about it. What was the purpose of this difficult journey? What does it say about our own paths through life's challenges? What are the lessons of transcendence, and how do we all rise again?
Have you felt the call of Spirit? The longing to know, to experience, to BE something greater than the world tells you that you are? How do we recognize that call? How do we answer it? And when we do, how do we face the tests that seems to inevitably flow?
We have a last-minute change of plans this week! We are so fortunate to welcome our friend Janet Ellis to give a talk titled "How Big is Your Want To?"
Did Jesus love himself? Did Buddha? Is it possible to really love ourselves without being vain or narcissistic? Is it possible to love anyone else if we do NOT love ourselves? We’ll explore the difference between true self-love and self-aggrandizement, and how to tell that difference at a glance.
When we speak of love, we often think of romantic love, yet there is no doubt that many friendships continue even as other “love” relationships come and go. How deep is this love? What is it exactly? How do we nurture it? What do we gain by it?
“Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove." Join us this week (from Rev. Melinda’s home during an unseasonably cold February!) as we discuss honest, true, unconditional, universal love. And how we can seek the best for others, no matter what.
Most of us search for a love that is passionate and that lasts. Can we have both? How? What is the difference between love and infatuation? Does love at first sight exist? Is the kind of love we are sold by commercials, books and movies real, or is there something that is much more real and satisfying?
Do you truly believe the universe is friendly? Conspiring in your favor? God is on your side? When the worst happens, what is your response? The story of Joseph can teach us much about overcoming the odds by trusting in a Higher Power and Source.
Are you brave enough to begin a journey with no idea of a final destination? If you have no destination, can you still lose your way? If you only had one suitcase, what would you bring with you? We will explore these questions using the story of Noah’s Ark to illustrate a journey into a new life.
"Genesis" means "beginning," and is the first book of the Hebrew bible. Are its stories relevant to us today? Can knowing where we came from affect who we are? We will explore the stories of Adam and Eve to find out what Biblical creation myths and teaching stories tell us about Truth.
Every religion and culture has its own creation stories. What can we learn from them? Are they helpful? Confusing? Or do they even matter? We will explore teaching ancient and modern—from Hinduism to A Course in Miracles—to see how they might be helpful to us in framing our lives.
Have you ever wanted to let go of the past and start all over again? What would that mean? Since we can't ever change another's thoughts, behaviors, or perspectives, how can we let go of all the stuff we don't "approve" of, that disturb our peace or spark our anger? Are we willing to let it go?
This is the meditation leading into our annual Burning Bowl ceremony! If you’d like to release the past alongside us - please PROPERLY utilize your fireplace, outdoor fire pit, chiminea, or a firesafe bowl! Write down what you want to let go of, and burn, baby, burn!
Once the tree comes down and the lights are put away, how do we keep the "reason for the season" alive in our hearts? What have we learned THIS Christmas? What habits or traditions could support that learning? Do we really want to stay that alive and aware?
The mythical truths of any story are only as helpful as our willingness to understand and to apply them. Can the metaphor of the Jesus story apply directly to our experience of life? Does it? How can it inform how we experience the season? Are we ready to Live the Story?
Myth is not fiction, but a higher truth: one that stays true beyond the story's setting in time and space. When we view the Christmas story as beloved Myth, we learn from it on so many levels. What does it say about Jesus's birth? What does it say about ours—who we are, who we are born to be?
The mark of a spiritual being is an attitude of gratitude. Today, on the first Sunday of advent, we discuss how to access gratitude—and how that aids us in preparation for the rebirth of the Christ Spirit in our lives and our hearts.
What can we learn from the Buddhist practice of “Friendliness” toward the world and ourselves? Is that what the Buddha taught? Did Jesus teach us to be our own best friend? How might it help our lives? The world?
This week we discuss the practice of Ho’oponopono as a deeply healing practice. How can asking others for forgiveness clear the dissonance in our own souls? Is it even good to say “I’m sorry”? Does it denigrate us in some way? Are we here to take responsibility for the whole world? What does that mean?
This is a day to celebrate our ancestors and an exploration of the ideas and practices behind All Saints Day, All Souls Day and Day of the Dead. What can be learned by celebrating the lives of those who have gone before? How could it be helpful to make friends with Death? To celebrate the dead? Do our ancestors really matter? Could a conscious connection to them inform our lives?
Reverend Pamela "Pjae" Stanley is Senior Minister of Harmony Spiritual Center in Fort Worth, and an ordained Inter Faith ministerial graduate of Emerson Institute of Theology. Pamela practices the Truth that there is only One Power and One Presence, residing in and connecting all of us, regardless of race, creed, color, nationality, sex, location, or any other arbitrary, superficial “difference!” Today, she joins us to speak on setting your intention and claiming your life!
Is it better to stand firm or to bend? Better to be realistic or optimistic? What is more important: self-care or service to others? Could the ability to hold paradox—two seemingly opposing realities simultaneously—be the key to dealing with life on life’s terms?
Don’t you wish you could be the person your dog thinks you are? As humans, we are part of the animal kingdom. What can the other animals teach us that could make us more “human?” Can they teach us about life? Love? Acceptance? Rest? Priorities?
Is spiritual practice the first thing you drop when you get busy? Do you hate the world discipline? Does it freak you out? Does it make you feel chained, or in control? Let’s explore the way to mastery of freedom through self-restraint, responsibility and direction.
Are you a collector? Is it hard for you to let go of things? Of people and relationships? Youth and beauty? Of the way things used to be? We will explore the things we old onto and how they actually block us from the good available to us in the present. We will learn to live a more abundant life by harnessing the power of generosity.
Do you ever wonder how you can work so hard and never seem to get anywhere? Ever feel like a martyr? Have you asked yourself "what more can I do," or "what does Spirit want from me?" Today we will sort out our personal power from God power and learn to harness the infinite power of the One to live a more joy-filled life.